Historic Preservation in Gibbsboro

Gibbsboro's history is reflected in the architectural and physical landscape elements that together provide a record of the cultural heritage of this town that was founded in 1714. It is this heritage and history that is worth preserving for generations to come. With that in mind, the Borough of Gibbsboro in September, 1991 adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance to its governance. This ordinance seeks to safeguard the heritage of Gibbsboro by preserving that part of the Borough which reflects parts of its cultural, social, economic and architectural history by the designation of a historic district and significant buildings and sites outside of a district. In this district and other sites, preserving the integrity of the design of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century structures and streetscapes is key to maintaining the town's heritage. Particular attention has been made to the preservation of historically and architecturally significant buildings. Historic preservation provides an essential mechanism for maintaining Gibbsboro's character, identity and economic values. Historic preservation also provides for the fostering of civic beauty, along with enhancing the education, recreation and welfare of the citizens of the Borough and its visitors.

The adoption of Gibbsboro's Historic Preservation Ordinance and the establishment of the Gibbsboro Historic District, put into place the policies and procedures necessary for preserving the sites and buildings in the town that represent the way people lived and worked before the current era. In reviewing Gibbsboro's history, this town has had distinctive periods of development. These periods can be categorized into four eras :

• A colonial era, characterized by housing clustered on the main watercourses to be near mills;
• An industrial era, distinguished by construction of the paint works, prosperous housing for the owners, and residences for the employees;
• An era of land speculation, during the 1920's, which saw large portions of Gibbsboro subdivided for weekend retreats in the southwest corner of the town
• The era of post World War II suburbanization with the construction of tract housing and more recently custom built housing.

The historic district includes buildings and sites mainly from the first two eras. The district includes those areas of Gibbsboro that have significant character, interest or value as part of the heritage or cultural characteristics of the borough, state and nation or are associated with an event or person significant in the past. It also reflects the distinctive architectural styles of Victorian and Pre-Victorian eras and the broad scope of history that gave rise to Gibbsboro as we know it today.

The Historic Preservation Ordinance in Gibbsboro has been established to regulate the appearance of buildings in the historic districts and individual landmarks through the review of development and building plans by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Planning Board. Review by the HPC is required for seven types of action, including :

• Demolition of a building or site within the Historic District.
• Relocation of any improvement within the Historic District.
• Changes in exterior appearance of a historic building, structure or landscape feature.
• Any new construction in the Historic District.
• Changes in signage or exterior lighting in the Historic District.
• Application for site plan or subdivision approval within the Historic District.
• Application for a zoning variance that may affect the Historic District.

For any of these types of action, a Certificate of Appropriateness is required from the HPC.

The HPC is also charged with identifying and recording historic sites, buildings, potential new historic districts, and other significant aspects of the cultural resources of Gibbsboro and reporting these to the governing body of the Borough.

In reality, the preservation of historic structures and places is always a delicate balance between the historical styles and features of the past and the present day needs of homeowners and businesses. Also, today's construction practices and architectural styles are quite different from those of the historical past. With this in mind, guidance must be provided to those who wish to affect structures and sites within the historic district.

Important points of guidance include :

• Every reasonable effort should be made to use a building for its original purpose or to establish a use that is compatible with the building and requires a minimum of changes to the building, site or its environment.
  
• The distinguishing original qualities or character of the building should not be destroyed by the removal or alteration of any historic material or distinctive architectural features.
  
• Buildings should be recognized as products of a particular time or era and not be altered to appear like that of another period.
  
• Every reasonable effort should be made to protect and preserve archeological resources affected by or adjacent to any project.
  
• Contemporary design for alterations and additions to existing properties shall not be discouraged when such modifications do not destroy significant historical, architectural or cultural material and should be compatible with the size, scale, color, material or character of the streetscape of the property, neighborhood, or environment.

Questions regarding Historic Preservation in Gibbsboro should be directed to members of the Historic Preservation Commission or to the Borough Clerk.

Bruce Compton - Chairman

Barry Campbell - Vice Chairman

David Evans

Edward Fletcher

Joyce Samuel

 

Carol Leonard - Alternate

Judith Compagno - Alternate

 

Anne Levy - Secretary

 

Historic Preservation is important to maintaining the unique charm and character of our community of Gibbsboro.